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Reliving some of Michigan football's top moments vs. Michigan State

Detroit Free Press Staff
Published 1:00 a.m. ET Oct. 4, 2017

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A quick look at the Michigan vs. Michigan State football rivalry. Produced by Brian Manzullo, DFP.
Wochit

Michigan Wolverines RB Eddie McDoom runs the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during the first quarter on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.(Photo11: Kirthmon F. Dozier, DFP)

Here are a few memories from some of those other wins by the Wolverines:

Oct. 14, 1989

Michigan 10, Michigan State 7

Michigan coach Bo Schembechler, right little to smile about as he greets Michigan State coach Duffy Daugherty in middle of the playing field after the MichiganMichigan State game in East Lansing in 1969. Daughertys Spartans defeated Bos Wolverines 23-12 before a sellout crowd.(Photo11: DFP file photo)

It's more of a lifetime achievement nod for Bo Schembechler. This was his final game as coach in the rivalry and his teams went 16-4 against MSU. The Wolverines won it in classic Bo style — running the ball with Tony Boles and Leroy Hoard, taking a 10-0 lead on the road and holding it, and getting a Lance Dottin interception on the final play for the 10-7 win. The teams finished 1 second apart in time of possession.

Oct. 25, 1997

Michigan 23, Michigan State 7

Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson intercepts a pass intended for Michigan State receiver Octavis Long as Marcus Ray looks on during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Oct. 25, 1997.(Photo11: JULIAN GONZALEZ DFP)

Both teams were ranked in the Top 15, but it was U-M that was on a mission that season. The Wolverines were shocked early when MSU’s Sedrick Irvin snuck down the field on a fake field goal and caught a TD pass, threatening U-M’s undefeated season. But U-M stormed back behind Charles Woodson’s one-handed interception and pitched a shutout the rest of the game. It was one of two for Woodson that day, adding to his Heisman Trophy campaign.

Nov. 1, 2003

Michigan 27, Michigan State 20

Ordinarily, the team that runs the ball best wins the game in this series. Well, no one has run the ball better, or more, than Chris Perry on this day. The eventual All-America had a rushing touchdown to go with 51 carries and 219 yards. The entire MSU team had just 36 yards on the ground. Oh, and Braylon Edwards caught two touchdown passes, too, in a game featuring a pair of Top-15 teams.

Oct. 30, 2004

Michigan 45, Michigan State 37 (3OT)

Having won six of the previous eight meetings, the start for Michigan was down right scary on Halloween weekend. MSU took a 27-10 lead with just under 9 mintues left in the game. But then a field goal, then an onside kick recovery, two Braylon Edwards touchdowns catches in regulation, a Jason Avant TD catch in overtime and an Edwards catch-and-run score lifted U-M to a thrilling victory. It was perhaps the best chance John L. Smith had at beating the Wolverines.

Nov. 3, 2007

Michigan 28, MSU 24

Michigan running back Mike Hart (20) fights for extra yardage in the third quarter of the Michigan and MSU football game on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.(Photo11: RASHAUN RUCKER DFP)

Mark Dantonio’s first team was in great position to get an upset as the Spartans were up, 24-14, with less than 8 minutes to play on what would end up Lloyd Carr’s last team, in the 100th game of the rivalry. Chad Henne was hurt, pressing freshman Ryan Mallett into duty. He dropped back to pass, took a hit from blitzing cornerback Kendell Davis-Clark, fumbled … and Mike Hart scooped it up and ran 11 yards for a first down. Henne returned to lead two dramatic drives to win. And then came a lot of taunting from Hart and the Wolverines. And returned fire from Dantonio two days later. The rivalry was soon to change, but at the time it meant a sixth straight loss for the Spartans in the series and more “Wait until next year…”